Dhaka, Jan. 4 -- Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief advisor on information technology, has clarified the government's firm stance on the implementation of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR).

He made the remarks on Sunday while visiting the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), which was damaged by an attack by mobile traders opposing the system.

Taiyeb assured that the concerns raised by customers about the NEIR would be resolved soon. He also questioned whether the agitating traders wanted a "licence to commit crimes".

The government has implemented the NEIR system since Jan 1. On that day, mobile handset "grey market" traders attacked the BTRC office, and 45 people were arrested.

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